Edmonton, The scene: Four teens are skateboarding along the riverbank trail when suddenly the ground gives way along a steep slope causing the first skater to wipe out and slide down the bank into an open excavation pit. Friends of the skater are a few minutes behind on the trail but see what’s happened ahead. They quickly move down the bank to locate their friend. They see a ladder in the pit for access but the injured skater cannot get up to use it. The teens attempt to rescue their friend. The ground remains unstable and as they start making their way down into the pit, the ladder tips. Within seconds the teens find themselves in a dire situation. All sustain various injuries and some are critical.

This was the scenario that 21 first aid teams of various skill levels walked into on Saturday April 7th at the Newcap Radio stage in West Edmonton Mall for the 2018 St. John Ambulance Provincial First Aid Competition

With help from Paul Kane High School’s drama club teams competed in five categories, Standard First Aid – Youth, Standard First Aid – Industry, Medical First Responder, Emergency Responder, and Advanced First Aid.

2018 Provincial First Aid Competition Awards

Award Category

Team Name

Location

Team Member(s)

Best Standard First Aid Team – Youth Division

Poison IV

Leduc Composite High School

Cady M – Captain
Emily K
Paige M
Leah G

Best Team Captain Standard First Aid – Youth Division

Unqualified Opinion

Leduc Composite High School

Jena M

Best Standard First Aid Team – Industry Division

Coal Valley Mines – Team 1

Edson

Kailee C – Captain
Alex B
Avery R
Brent M

Best Team Captain Standard First Aid – Industry Division

Coal Valley Mines – Team 1

Edson

Kailee C

Best Medical First Responder (MFR) Team

The Captains

SJA – Edmonton Community Services

Matthew C – Captain
Dean S
Alex N
Dexter T

Best Team Captain Medical First Responder Division

Cyclone

SJA – Calgary Community Services

Shawn P

Best Advanced First Aid Team

Coal Valley Mines – Team 2

Edson

John K – Captain
Ryan G
Jason N
Kevin D

Best Team Captain – Advanced First Aid Division

Coal Valley Mines – Team 2

Edson

John K

Best Emergency Responder Team

Trauma Troopers

University of Calgary

Claire H – Captain
Renee N
Cassandra C
Janna N

Best Team Captain Emergency Responder Division – (A tie this year)

SunHills Mining
Beach Patrol

Seba Beach
West Edmonton Mall

Cory A
Oksana G

Best Novice Team

Poison IV

Leduc Composite High School

Cady M – Captain
Emily K
Paige M
Leah G

Highest Overall Scoring Team

Trauma Troopers

University of Calgary

Claire H – Captain
Renee N
Cassandra C
Janna N

Best CasualtyThis award recognizes outstanding performance of a volunteer in their role as a casualty

Paul Kane High School

Volunteer Casualty
Emily

“First aid is something that that you have a chance to help when everyone else doesn’t know what to do. You’ll actually have the knowledge and tools to be able to do something.” Said John Kelly Team captain of Coal Valley Team 2.

“We have practiced a lot, like twice a week for one to two hours every week. So, we are pretty prepared we think.” Cady McCubbing team captain of Poison IV Youth team.

First aid competitions have been a St. John Ambulance tradition since they were first introduced in 1880 by Surgeon-Major G.A. Hutton in England. While times and technology have changed, the importance of learning these valuable skills hasn’t; as proven by the teams who competed on Saturday.

2018 St. John Ambulance First Aid Competition

April 7, 2018
West Edmonton Mall
Newcap Radio Stage
(west end of the mall near entrances 52 and 58)
Entry deadline: March 7, 2018

The Competition is a great opportunity for First Aiders and Emergency Responders to test their knowledge and skills in a safe, realistic simulated emergency incident. It’s also an excellent team building and social event, with a dinner banquet, door prize draws and awards presentation for the winning teams and captains in each division.

Teams may consist of up to 4 people with valid first aid certification and will enter in the appropriate division based on level of training.

The divisions are:

1. Standard First Aid – Youth: This division is open to competitors under the age of 18 years, and who have a current certificate in Standard First Aid with Level C CPR/AED (adult/child/infant). Refer to the Training Information Chart for details.

2. Standard First Aid – Industry: This division is open to competitors 18 years of age and older, who have a current certificate in Standard First Aid with Level C CPR/AED (adult/child/infant). Refer to the Training Information Chart for details.

3. Medical First Responder: This division is open to competitors who have a current certificate in Medical First Responder training (40 hour course). Refer to the Training Information Chart for details.

4. Advanced First Aid: This division is open to competitors who have a current certificate in Advanced First Aid. Refer to the Training Information Chart for details.

5. Emergency Responder: This division is open to competitors who are trained at the emergency responder, medic, pre-hospital level or a registered health care professional. Examples include but are not limited to: EMR, EMT, firefighter, military medic, nurse, paramedic, etc.). Refer to the Training Information Chart for details.

Team Registration Fees:

Adult team registration fee is $325.00. Youth team registration fee is $225.00 (all 4 team members must be under 18 years of age to qualify). Payment must accompany the Team Registration Form. Team registration fee includes 4 banquet tickets. Additional tickets may be purchased at a cost of $55.00 each.